Paris Show: Renault ZOE Preview Teases 2012 Production EV and Hints at Next Clio

One or two sizes up from the quirky little Twizy is where Renault's ZOE Preview sits. Following in the vein of last year's ZOE Z.E. coupe, the ZOE Preview is a more realistic look at the production version that will be available in 2012 wearing Renault's newest face. Not only that, but it may just be previewing (ZING!) the next Clio as well.

Similar in size to the Clio, this little electric econobox gets some high-end passenger comfort tech that may or may not show up in the production model (Renault claims 90% of what you see here is what you'll get). To get occupants comfortable, the ZOE has a humidity-regulating climate control system with an integrated toxicity sensor and scent diffuser.

Oh, there's more, don't worry. It also provides "light therapy", which is being co-developed with Philips (apparently a "world-renowned light therapy specialist").

The concept seen here is 4.1 meters long and rides on 19-inch wheels. For production, dimensions are going to be similar, but those wheels? Probably not showing up. Power comes from an 80-horsepower / 60 kW electric motor that makes 222 Nm / 164 lb-ft of torque.

A charge will take from 6 to 8 hours and can be done (primarily) two different ways: either with a Wall Box that you connect to your home's outlet, or by optional EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment). Renault recommends going with the wall box for the sake of convenience. Also possible, should an infrastructure appear sometime soon, is what the company calls a "Fast Charge"; this gives the car a 37-mile emergency run after only ten minutes of charging.

Israelis and Danes may also have the opportunity for Quickdrop batteries, meaning there will be stations that will change out your used-up battery in a matter of minutes.

By Phil Alex

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Paris Show: Renault Debuts Production Twizy, the Electric Scooter Car

Welcome to the Twizy, Renault's third model in its Zero Emissions lineup after the Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Van Z.E. The little city car pod is an all-electric mix between a scooter and a car, allowing for clean and efficient city driving thanks to its 20-horsepower / 42 lb-ft (57 Nm) electric motor. That helps it reach a top speed of 47 mph after it has charged for 3.5 hours.

Renault plans to build the tandem two-seat Twizy in Valladolid, Spain for a late-2011 European release (early 2012 in the UK), and orders can be placed online right now at the official Z.E. site. Aimed at urbanites looking for an adorable second car, Renault says it may also be suitable for teen drivers as a pre-car car. How? it may be drivable in some countries with a lower top speed of 28 mph and without a driving license (feel free to discuss that below).

Since the Twizy is a very open car, additional door panels will be available to seal the lower area should harsh weather show up. For practicality, storage is located under the rear seat (31 liters that's expandable to 55 liters) and on either side of the steering wheel (3 liters). Behind the steering wheel you'll see a display housing an "econometer", available range, and other necessary stats.

Safety features include the collapsible pod set within the four wheels, a driver airbag, and 4- and 3-point harnesses (front and rear, respectively).

The three Twizys shown at Paris were designed by Renault to emphasize the customization possibilities available to consumers; they include the Twizy Dot Dot (providing an "emphasis on elegance"), the Circuit (with a sci-fi touch), and the Totem (the automotive equivalent of a tribal tattoo). There will be nine more customized virtual Twizys online, with the highest-rated design getting its own limited edition when the car debuts.

Here's a list from Renault describing who the typical Twizy buyer will be:

-Busy, car-owning city dwellers looking for a second vehicle
-Younger drivers interested in a safe way to gain experience in traffic
-City dwellers looking for a stylish yet particularly practical vehicle
-Sensitive to new design trends

If Renault's PR guys have you locked down and pretty well described, then the Twizy may just be for you.

By Phil Alex

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Paris Preshow: Renault and Fashion House Miss Sixty Create Twingo for the Girls

Billed as the first "all-feminine" and "most glamorous" of all Twingo limited editions, the Twingo Miss Sixty is the result of collaboration between Renault and Miss Sixty, the international fashion label of Italy's Sixty group. The fashionista Twingo's world premiere will take place on the Renault stand at next week's Paris Motor Show before launching into the European market in November 2010.

The Twingo Miss Sixty will be available in two unique exterior colors, Bohemian Pink or Pearlescent black, with the interior detailed in pink and black, giving it what Renault describes as a "sultry glam'rock look".

Aside from the Miss Sixty brand logos, other highlights include a pink-rimmed tachometer and speedometer, a pink-stitched leather steering wheel and pearlescent black door mirror housings.

Further details and pricing will be announced at next week's Paris Motor Show.

Renault Reveals All-Electric 2011 Kangoo Z.E. Van at Hannover Show, Sales Start Next Year

Renault has released pictures and details of the 2011 Kangoo Express Z.E. pure-electric van it showed at this week's International Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany. It is the first of several production EVs Renault plans to launch over the next few years and the first all-electric van to be developed and built by a vehicle manufacturer - or so the company claims.

Fitted with a 22 kWh lithium-ion battery, the Kangoo Express Z.E. (Zero Emission) is good for 160 km (99 miles) on a single charge (6 to 8 hours from a standard 220 volt socket). The electric motor produces 44 kw (60 hp) and 226 Nm from idle and top speed is electronically limited to 130 km / h (81 mph).

In Europe, the Kangoo Express Z.E. costs €20,000 (US$26,776), or €15,000 (US$20,082) after the €5,000 (US$6,694) electric vehicle subsidy. This is unavailable in the UK as the Kangoo Express is classed as a light commercial vehicle there.

With the subsidy the price is the same as that for the Kangoo Express diesel. Buyers also have the choice of leasing the van, though prices have not been disclosed.

However, it should be noted that ownership of the vehicle will be separate to that of the battery. According to the French carmaker, customers will be able to purchase, or rent, their Z.E. van and then lease the batteries for €72 (US$96) a month for four years, with a yearly driving limit of 14,490 km (9000 miles).

The cost to fully recharged the batteries (for up to 160km driving range) is believed to be between €1 and €2 (US$1.34 -$2.68) depending on local electricity prices.

The Kangoo Express Z.E. has the same cargo carrying capacity as its ICE siblings and can be pre-ordered today, with first deliveries expected for mid-2011.

By Tristan Hankins